An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Dec. 17, 2013

Marines, Navy, AF Take Part in 3-day Surge during Exercise Forager Fury II

By Airman 1st Class Emily A. Bradley 36th Wing Public Affairs

Various units from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force came together to exercise their ability to conduct combat operations across the Pacific by participating in a nonstop operations surge Dec. 10 to Dec. 13 on Guam and the nearby island of Tinian.

The surge was part of Exercise Forager Fury II, a U.S. Marine Corps contingency exercise focusing on training units for combat situations in the Pacific theater. The exercise, which began Dec. 2, involved 1,200 Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and was supported by approximately 400 Airmen and Sailors in various capacities. It is expected to end Dec. 18.

The recent surge component of Forager Fury II lasted 72 hours and kept a constant simulated fight between U.S. Armed Forces aircraft and enemy aircraft north of Tinian while simultaneously responding to simulated ground invasions on Guam.

The exercise also featured Marine aviation units assigned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-12 - a subordinate unit of the Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW)-1 from Camp Foster, Japan - and is made up of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-112, deployed with MAG-12 and flying F/A-18A++ Hornets, VMFA-232, flying F/A-18Cs, VMFA-242, flying F/A-18Ds, Marine Air Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR)-152, flying KC-130J Super Hercules and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM)-262, flying MV-22B Ospreys. Additionally, U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, are training with the MAG-12 as part of their recurring Aircraft Training Relocation program, which allows U.S. military pilots from air bases in Japan to train in the Central Northern Marianas Island areas to fly more hours, drop live explosives and fire live munition rounds in training environments not available in Japan.

"The surge's goal is to maximize the amount of [missions] in a 72-hour period," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Keith Topel, MAG-12 operations officer. "The surge is the main purpose of why we're here. We are expected to operate cohesively and fight as a joint task force."

The units continuously deploy aircraft into the air while also testing maintainers' skills on the ground to sustain aircraft for flight.

The aircraft launched from Andersen, refueled at North Field, Tinian, which served as the forward air refueling point, before defending the area north of Tinian. The fuel at North Field was transported from West Field, Tinian, which acted as the forward operating base.

Service members were also evaluated on their ability to protect Guam from a hostile invasion on Andersen South, a training area located several miles from the main base. "The most important thing here is the inter-service training," said U.S. Marine Corps. Capt. Roy Agila, MAG-12 assistant operations officer. "Each service has its own capabilities and the exercise gives us the ability to practice, without kinks or friction. Without practice, it's chaotic in a real-world combat situation."

The U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, an Andersen-based unit, had Sailors who were involved in a simulated rescue mission in a hostile environment north of Tinian, where Marines and Airmen pilots defended the island with F-15s and F/A-18s. The fighter's mission ensured HSC-25's rescue swimmers performed their rescues without being in harm's way.
"This exercise also allows Marine and Air Force pilots to familiarize each other with many aircraft," said U.S. Air Force Capt. William Strohecker, 18th Wing project officer. "It's a nonstop aircraft fight while also trying to defend the helicopter and the person in the water."

The Aviation Training Relocation Program, which tied the recurring program into the Marine exercise, increases operational readiness while managing the noise impacts of training in and around the local communities of Okinawa, Japan, according to Pacific Air Forces officials.

Operating out of Guam allows pilots the opportunity to exercise all of the aircraft capabilities without the regular airspace restrictions the unit complies with in Japan.
After the surge, the U.S. Marine Corps units are focusing on sustaining and maintaining equipment and aircraft until the exercise concludes Dec. 20. The U.S. Air Force ATR contingent is projected to depart Dec. 18.

This article was originally published at: http://www.andersen.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123374490
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USINDOPACOM Deputy Commander Travels to Brunei
250124-N-N0132-1002 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei (Jan. 24, 2025) U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, traveled to Brunei Jan. 22-24, reinforcing the strong U.S.-Brunei relationship.
Jan. 28, 2025 - U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, traveled to Brunei Jan. 22-24, reinforcing the strong U.S.-Brunei relationship...

Marshall Islands, military leaders strengthen partnership, defense
MAJURO, Republic of the Marshall Islands (Jan. 23, 2025) Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman meets with Republic of the Marshall Islands National Security Advisor Chris deBrum in Majuro, Jan. 23, 2025. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships and increasing security across multiple domains in the region. Dedicated to promoting regional stability, JTF-M performs Homeland Defense, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, and Foreign Humanitarian Assistance through a whole of government approach within its assigned joint operations area. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Tucker)
Jan. 28, 2025 - U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s senior military official to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) met with local leaders in Majuro to discuss defense and security, Jan 23...

U.S. Marines with 12th LAAB Execute a Tactical Air Surveillance Raid on Wake Island
Jan. 27, 2025 - U.S. Marines and U.S. Airmen participate in a memorial ceremony at Wake Island, Dec. 17, 2024. The ceremony was held to honor the Marines, Sailors, and civilians that lost their lives during the Battle of Wake Island from...

4th Marines ACVs Complete First Open Water Amphibious Movement
U.S. Marines operating an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) complete an amphibious landing from Kushi Crossing to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2024. This was the first open-water amphibious movement for ACVs deployed to III Marine Expeditionary Force, accomplishing a new milestone for amphibious operations with the vehicle platform in the Indo-Pacific.  Amphibious operations, including the use of ship-to-shore connectors, is a foundational aspect of Marine Corps operations and is critical to remaining the Nation’s premier expeditionary force in readiness. The Marines shown are with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kendrick Jackson)
Jan. 27, 2025 - Amphibious Combat Vehicles with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, completed the first open-water amphibious movement in the Kushi Crossing, Dec. 10, 2024...

III MEF Advances into 2025: Building on a Year of Milestones and Strengthening Regional Security
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, communicates with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayoshi Arai, commanding general of the Western Army, during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at JGSDF Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, August 4, 2024. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)
Jan. 27, 2025 - As the calendar turns to 2025, the Marines, Sailors, and joint force enablers of III Marine Expeditionary Force are poised to build on the successes of 2024, a year marked by significant milestones and advancements in...